Oh my! I am such a slacker! A few weeks ago (ok, maybe more than a few) I received another AWESOME package from Steve Spangler Science full of goodies from their holiday gift guide.

Here is what was in my box when I opened it:

Galileo Thermometer & Barometer

I absolutely, positively love this. We have it set up in the living room. It came with great instructions on how to set it up. The kids are having a lot of fun comparing this to the digital weather station we have. I was really excited about it because we have long called Carter our little barometer as the weather change often sets off a shunt headache for him. We are using this to compare the changes with his headaches. Plus, it just looks so cool!

Mentos Geyser Tube

Steve also sent me over the new depth charge for the mentos geyser as well as the traditional release contraption he first came out with. We had a lot of fun with both but prefer the new depth charge one. It essentially sinks the mentos to the bottom for the explosion to start.

Air Burst Rockets

Incredibly high shooting rocket. It can fly 600 feet in the air. Need I say more? If there is a more perfect toy for boys, I don’t what it would be. We had to take it to the park around the corner. I didn’t get video of my kiddos with it but this one from the boys at Steve’s office is pretty amazing:

Boom Splat Kablooey – Klutz Book

This one is under the tree. Shhhh…….

Disclosure: As noted Steve Spangler Science provided me with these products to review at no charge. I do truly, truly love Steve Spangler Science which is why I write about them as I often as I do:)

As you all know, my kids love music. My oldest plays the guitar and my youngest is a walking dictionary of classic rock (ugh, am I that old that Bon Jovi is classic?). Since my youngest has very poor fine motor skills though due to both of his disabilities (spina bifida and autism) it has been hard to really teach him an instrument. But, he is very interested. So, when I was contacted by a very nice PR rep for Harmonic Vision and asked to try Music Ace Deluxe I was thrilled. Harmonic Vision claims:

“This interactive program gives homeschooling parents a fun way to bring music into their kid’s (aged 6+) lives. The game-type Windows and Mac-compatible CD-ROM features 36 self-paced lessons shored up by games that introduce kids to the basics of music — rhythm, pitch, note reading, listening and the keyboard — while entertaining them at the same time.”

and it certainly delivers. My youngest (10) and I sat down to do a few lessons together before I turned him loose on it alone. He seemed to really benefit from the visual clues given in the pitch lessons. And even I learned some new terminology. Maestro Max (the animated teacher) provides a fun and non threatening way for everyone to learn music theory.

So, would I recommend this? Absolutely! Music Ace Deluxe is available directly from Harmonic Vision, http://www.harmonicvision.com for the MSRP of $79.95. More importantly, it is available from other sources such as http://www.amazon.com and http://www.jr.com/ for between $45 and $50. Also, a Homeschool Instructional Guide is available for download at no charge from the Harmonic Vision website for owners of Music Ace Deluxe. I love it when companies realize the power of the homeschool community and provide products tailored to our needs!